The North Sea Region’s network of navigable inland waterways – canals, rivers and lakes – was originally developed for the transport of goods. In recent years tourism and recreation on inland waterways has grown in importance through yachting, pleasure boat activity and angling on the water and walking and cycling on the banks. Inland waterways are becoming increasingly recognised for the economic, social and environmental benefits that they give rise to. Canal Link therefore aims to investigate how the region’s network of navigable waterways can be further developed, based on the cultural and environmental heritage of the canals, rivers & lakes.

Canal Link incorporates a number of trans-national actions aimed at furthering the development of the network, including:

• Promotional activity and new initiatives aimed at encouraging increased tourism between the partner waterways.
• The identification of missing links & bottlenecks in the North Sea Region’s of tourism and recreation waterways.
• Investigation into the impacts of waste water from boats.
• Development of model techniques for estimating economic and social impacts of waterways and waterway projects.
• The creation of networks of local businesses to stimulate economic activity.

These actions are supported through a range of pilot projects in each partner country, aimed at developing different approaches to improve the waterway network and the economic activity to which it gives rise. Through these pilot projects, real and lasting benefits will be generated for the partner waterways.

For futher information download the Canal-Link Leaflet under : Documents & reports